Related Tags:

LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)– The City of Littleton has approved a temporary moratorium that bans retail pot shops.

The Littleton City Council approved a temporary moratorium March 5 that prohibits the “submission, acceptance, processing and approval of applications, and the licensing, permitting, establishment or operation of marijuana establishments and clubs.”

The moratorium will remain in effect until Oct. 1.

The city council said the reason for the moratorium is that it will give Littleton more time to study the effects of marijuana establishments and clubs. The city council also wants to take a closer look at existing land use regulations and how retail marijuana establishments will fit into current zoning ordinances.

Many cities around Colorado are considering how to tackle retail pot shops after Amendment 64 was passed in Nov. 2012. The law allows those 21 years and older to legally consume and possess one ounce or less of marijuana.

The governor appointed a task force that will recommend regulations to implement Amendment 64 through the Colorado Department of Revenue. These regulations must be in place by July 1 so that applications for marijuana establishments can be accepted and processed starting Oct. 1.

The amendment permits local governments to regulate the time, place, manner and number of establishments; as well as develop procedures for licenses, fees, and penalties for violations. It also gives local governments the authority to prohibit cultivation, product manufacturing, and testing facilities, along with retail stores.